Coker upbeat after Day 1 of spring practice

UTSA coach Larry Coker was upbeat Wednesday after putting his team through its first practice of the spring.

“It was a good today, guys,” Coker told reporters. “Practiced fast. Had fun. I liked what I saw today. To have the numbers up helps, too. I think it was a great first day for us.”

For the first time, UTSA will be close to the FBS ceiling of 85 scholarships when the rest of the team reports in August.

Last year, UTSA went 8-4 overall and 3-3 in the FBS Western Athletic Conference, using only 67 scholarships.

“Our scholarships are up,” Coker said. “We’re gradually moving to a Division I football team. We were Division I last year, but not as far as numbers were concerned. We’ll be right there in the fall.”

As a start-up program, UTSA took the field for the first time in the fall of 2010 during a “practice” season.

The team had its first spring practice in 2011, leading into the inaugural season, when the Roadrunners went 4-6.

Coker said he has seen a big change in the physical presence of his players since the first year.

“Guys that were here come up to me and say, ‘Coach, it’s a lot different.’ It is a lot different,” Coker said. “We’re bigger, stronger. They’ve done a great job in the weight room with coach (Charlie) Dudley and his staff.

“We got some experience now. We were just babies (then). Now we’re starting to grow up.”

Coker said receivers stood out on the first day.

“Some of the wide receivers and the tight ends I think are going to be really good,” he said. “It’s hard to tell with the linemen. I mean, I can look pretty good without pads on.